As we were going to press on Wednesday night, the investigation was continuing into Monday’s Boston Marathon bombing that killed three people and left 170 injured.
The F.B.I. was denying reports that a suspect had been taken into custody. However, it was being widely reported that interest was focusing on a man who was captured on video dropping a black bag at the scene right before the explosions.
Hopefully, we will soon get to the bottom of this horrible crime. Three innocent lives were taken and many people — spectators and runners alike — suffered gruesome injuries. There were reportedly numerous amputations. The bombs were packed with nails and ball bearings — designed to maim, according to bomb experts.
The Daily News, in its editorial, noted that perhaps the second bomb was timed to go off slightly later so as to hit first-responders who were rushing to assist the wounded. How sick.
Monday’s attack was the worst incident of what clearly was an act of domestic terrorism since 9/11, nearly 12 years ago. It’s sad that we still must be on alert for these kind of cowardly, vicious, senseless attacks.
At the same time, it makes us appreciate even more the job that Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and other law enforcement have been doing to keep New York safe. We know we are a target, but thanks to a vigilant Police Department and other law enforcement agencies, we have been kept safe.
There have been some close calls, though, including, most notably, the car packed with explosives in Times Square that was caught in the nick of time.
Nevertheless, understandably, some Down-towners are taking the Boston bombing especially hard. Even if they didn’t know anyone personally involved in that incident, it’s brought the dread of 9/11 rushing back for them. Yet, thankfully, there weren’t any other incidents after Boston — the coordinated sort of attacks that the twisted terrorists delight in.
Security is clearly a major issue in the upcoming New York City mayoral election. Whoever is elected must not lose focus on efforts to combat terrorist threats.
One can only hope and pray that our world someday evolves to the point where we no longer bomb, maim and kill each other in this way — or any way. If this incident was somehow connected to any religion or religious cause, it is only the more depressing.
When will we, as a planet, as a species, move on past these ancient hatreds to a place of mutual respect and understanding — to live and let live? A multicultural, multiracial, religiously diverse city like New York offers the world the best example of an inspiring look at how we can all live in relative peace. Perhaps that, too, is why we are a target.
Despite our differences, we are all, at heart, the same.
But for now, we must focus on bringing the terrorists in this incident to justice. We must send the message that America — whether it be New York or now Boston — will not be victimized by hateful terrorist violence. Again, nothing justifies this kind of carnage.
The perpetrator or perpetrators must not get away.
